Kaneville's identity platform in village president, trustee races

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 5:30 a.m. CST

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KANEVILLE – Kaneville voters will have a contest for village president and trustee in the April 9 consolidated election because two candidates have filed for village president and four have filed for three trustee seats.

Pat Hill and interim Village President Rick Peck want to be the village’s next president.

Kaneville incorporated in 2006 to prevent it from being annexed or absorbed into other villages, such as Elburn or Sugar Grove, candidates said. Kaneville Township was settled in the 1830s, according to its website. Kaneville’s population, according to the 2010 census, is 484.

“I just want to make sure it stays Kaneville – the small quaint town that it is – and listen to the people,” Hill said. “I have been a trustee since incorporation. I want to serve as village president because I want to keep Kaneville, Kaneville.”

Peck also was a trustee who was appointed village president after Village President Bob Rodney died in July.

“I think serving right now, I’m able to see some opportunities where I fit well and can serve well,” Peck said. “I’d like to continue that with some added responsibilities.”

Peck echoed Hill’s thoughts about maintaining Kaneville’s identity.

“Everybody prides our town on how rural it is; there is nobody who wants to change anything,” Peck said. “The board is just about trying to better serve the community. There are things in town need done, we’ve got some really old sidewalks and we worked through some drainage replacements the last two years. It’s really just about serving the community.”

Incumbent trustees Jon Behm and Nicholas Garifalis say they also want to see Kaneville maintain its rural identity.

“I want to be a trustee so that we have some input for how the village is going to be run for our children,” Behm said. “I want Kaneville to stay a small town, stay a country town.”

Garifalis serves on the Kaneville Planning and Development Commission and Zoning Board and said being a trustee is a continuation of that service. He was appointed as trustee to fill the vacancy caused by Peck becoming interim village president.

Newcomer Carl Hauser said he has been volunteering to maintain the village’s roads, filling potholes and patching. As a 10-year employee at the Kane County Department of Transportation, he has the experience to step up and support the village that way. Wanting to be a trustee is an extension of that, he said.

“I hope to help out and participate,” Hauser said.

Newcomer Eric Kroehner said he wants to serve and maintain Kaneville’s identity as a small country town.

“I want to be a trustee to ensure the public’s trust here in the community so Kaneville stays Kaneville,” Kroehner said.